BestCarRank
Volkswagen

2016 Volkswagen GOLF SPORTSWAGEN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2016 Volkswagen GOLF SPORTSWAGEN has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: metal trim on the bezel of the gear selector (at the base) has peeled off and cracked. it is very sharp and i cut my hand. it appears that this is a common issue with cars on this platform (golf, gti, golf sportwagen)..

1 crash report

6

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

2 complaints
33%
  • • METAL TRIM ON THE BEZEL OF THE GEAR SELECTOR (AT THE BASE) HAS PEELED OFF AND CRACKED. IT IS VERY SHARP AND I CUT MY HAND. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CARS ON THIS PLATFORM (GOLF, GTI, GOLF SPORTWAGEN).
  • • RECALL HAS BEEN OUT FOR 6 MONTHS, STILL NO FIX AVAILABLE.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“METAL TRIM ON THE BEZEL OF THE GEAR SELECTOR (AT THE BASE) HAS PEELED OFF AND CRACKED. IT IS VERY SHARP AND I CUT MY HAND. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CARS ON THIS PLATFORM (GOLF, GTI, GOLF SPORTWAGEN).”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

1 complaints
17%
  • • WAS HIT IN THE REAR, OTHER DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AROUND 55 MPH AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN (AROUND 5 MPH) TURNING RIGHT FROM A HIGHWAY ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. IMPACT WAS ENOUGH TO CRUSH THE REAR FLOOR PAN AND BEND THE FRAME. I SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER THE IMPACT. NONE OF
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WAS HIT IN THE REAR, OTHER DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AROUND 55 MPH AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN (AROUND 5 MPH) TURNING RIGHT FROM A HIGHWAY ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. IMPACT WAS ENOUGH TO CRUSH THE REAR FLOOR PAN AND BEND THE FRAME. I SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER THE IMPACT. NONE OF ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

1 complaints
17%
  • • 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

1 complaints
17%
  • • 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

1 complaints
17%
  • • BAD REAR SUSPENSION IS DEFORMING THE TIRE AND COULD POSSIUCAUSE A BLOW OUT
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“BAD REAR SUSPENSION IS DEFORMING THE TIRE AND COULD POSSIUCAUSE A BLOW OUT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    OTHER: METAL TRIM ON THE BEZEL OF THE GEAR SELECTOR (AT THE BASE) HAS PEELED OFF AND CRACKED. IT IS VERY SHARP AND I CUT MY HAND. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CARS ON THIS PLATFORM (GOLF, GTI, GOLF SPORTWAGEN).

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: WAS HIT IN THE REAR, OTHER DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AROUND 55 MPH AS I WAS SLOWING DOWN (AROUND 5 MPH) TURNING RIGHT FROM A HIGHWAY ONTO ANOTHER ROAD. IMPACT WAS ENOUGH TO CRUSH THE REAR FLOOR PAN AND BEND THE FRAME. I SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AFTER THE IMPACT. NONE OF

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    STEERING: 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: 2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Volkswagen GOLF SPORTSWAGEN — Year Comparison

How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2017
10Excellent Reliability
2016
6Excellent Reliability
2015
8Excellent Reliability
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
1
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2016 Volkswagen GOLF SPORTSWAGEN

Compare With

2016 Acura ILX80 complaints2016 Acura MDX504 complaints2016 Acura RDX56 complaints2016 Acura RLX9 complaints